Chained: A Bad Boy Romance (12 page)

He was good to me though, and I was thankful for that. He didn't treat me any differently than the rest of the other guys here. I liked him, he had a good sense of humor, but no problem telling someone where to shove it; a fair man, who wanted the work done quick and right.

“Yeah! I'm on it!” I gripped the ratchet tightly and turned. “Fuck!” I grunted as my hand slipped off and hit the sharp metal edge, slicing the top open.

“What? Did you fuck up something?” he asked.

“Yeah, my hand.” I rolled out from underneath, displaying the gash I had just received.

He crinkled his brow. “What do you want me to do? Kiss it and tell you it's all better? Go bandage it up and finish the job. No worker's comp complaint either, it's just a scratch.” He let out a hearty laugh, his beer belly rattling up and down with each breath as he slapped the top of the car and walked back to his office.

I shook my head as I stood.
Always worried about getting sued.
I made my way through the car parts and tools spread across the floor. The shop had just enough room to work on two cars at a time. Any of the empty space was strewn with random items, broken and new. Each step I took I had to avoid some object in my path.

Bill doesn't want any worker's comp, yet he let's this place look like a hoarder lives here.
I chuckled to myself on the way to the sink.

The water stung as it ran over the fresh wound. My eyes squinted in pain while I tried to remove as much of the grease as possible. I started to remember how my hands had been the last time I saw Charlie, all bandaged and swollen.

I didn't feel any pain that day. I only felt her.

All of her.

“Hey, Owen! What are you deaf now, too?” Bill's voice crashed into my head.

“What?” I responded, slightly dazed.

“I've been talking to you and you've just been staring at the water. It's not that bad man, I think you'll live.” He patted my shoulder and smiled. “I'm leaving for the night. Finish up what you can and the rest can be done tomorrow. Don't forget to lock up when you go.” He started to walk away. “Oh, and I just got a call from Sammy's tow. They're bringing in a car that broke down, after that you can head out.”

“Sure thing.” I liked that he trusted me enough to let me close down the shop. I'd been trying hard to stay clear of any trouble.
All those robberies and bad decisions, they got me no where. I'm glad I haven't heard from Brice. I want no part of that world.

For a short time I wondered if my brother would try to find me. The day of my  release had been plastered all over the papers. Weeks after, I still looked over my shoulder, anticipating his crooked grin.

I attached the bandage to my hand and made my way back under the wagon.
Why do people want to dump money into a shit box like this?

The next forty minutes were spent gazing at the dirty mess above me.

Where the hell is that tow truck? I'm ready to go home, shower, and eat something. I hate waiting around for these fucking guys. They go at their own pace.

Light flooded the garage and the sound of tires against the gravel parking lot echoed through the room. I pushed myself out from underneath the car, pulling the rag from my back pocket. I wiped away the grime on my hands, ready to give the tow-driver an ear full.

Don't be a dick, Owen. If  I rag on this guy Bill will send  me packing. I need this job, I don't want to end up in a ditch.
I tilted my head against each shoulder to crack my neck.
You know what, fuck it. This guy needs to know people aren't going to wait around for him. I don't need to be a complete prick. Just a little kick in the ass might help.

I walked to the service door and threw it open. “It's about goddamn time! Did you get lost or something? You realize I can't sit around waiting for your lazy ass to stroll by when you're finally ready to do your job, right?” I waved the rag as I approached the driver's door.

The headlights blinded my vision of the truck. My eyes moved sidelong in an attempt to see the man behind the wheel; the door flew open. “Yeah, sorry about that man. I needed to stop off briefly for this young lady.” His voice was scratchy, as if he had smoked two packs a day for the past twenty years.

I stopped in my tracks, my legs as heavy as cement. The passenger door opened slowly. In the darkness of night a silhouette emerged, her face shielded in shadows against the glare of luminescent bulbs.

I brought my hand across my forehead to ease the brightness.

Is that...

No. It can't be.

My heart pounded in my chest as I squinted to get a better view of her face. I felt my lungs constricting, stealing any sound I could have made.

“Owen? Is that you?” The southern tone was melodic in my ears. I stood in awe, confused and unsure if this was really happening.

So much of my time had been spent looking for her in the face of every woman I passed by.

After all of that, has she really been dropped on my doorstep?

I'd fantasized about running into Charlie and what I would say. In my daydream I would walk up quietly behind her, leaning in to place my hands around her waist. “Hello, beautiful,” I'd whisper into her ear.

This was no daydream.

The only word I could find on my tongue was, “Charlie?”

Light broke across her figure as she stepped into it. Each curve of her body was enhanced by the radiant glow against the blackness behind her.

For the first time in my life, I couldn't speak.
She's hypnotic to my senses.
With just her presence, energy spilled into my body.

She looked at me, scanned me up and down. The centers of her glorious eyes shined, a million emotions I couldn't read. Was she happy to see me? Scared? I wanted to reach into her head and find the answers. Not knowing was painful.

Licking her lips, she said, “Hey, how are—”

The driver stepped forward, ending our reunion with his clipboard in hand. “I need you to sign this so I can get the hell home. It's cold as a witch's tit out here, man.”

I glared at him angrily for not letting her finish her sentence. Forcefully, I grabbed the form from his hand and scribbled my name. “There. Now you can go.”

He nodded, turning towards Charlie. “Are you all set, Miss? Do you need a ride home?” His words were polite, but the way he ogled her chest gave away his motives. There was no way I was going to let her ride home with this pervert staring at her tits the whole time.

“No,” I growled. “
I'll
get her a ride home. You can be on your merry fucking way.” I didn't know him, but I hated him. The way he looked at her filled me with anger. No one had a right to do that. This woman was mine, even if he had no clue.

Hell, even if
she
had no clue.

My fists balled up by my sides.
I want to knock this guy's fucking teeth down his throat.

“Alright, man.” The driver held his hands up in defeat and climbed back into his seat.

Looking over, I watched as the tension in Charlie's body vanished. Her shoulders slid down, away from her ears. Had the guy been creeping on her the whole ride? I itched to reach out and hold her, to comfort her.

As the red from the tail lights faded into the distance my eyes were drawn to hers. I knew she hadn't expected to see me here. Hell, maybe she hadn't expected to ever see me again.

Her hands rubbed together swiftly back and forth, the tip of her shoe twisted in the dirt. The silence between us stretched to the point of snapping.

I want to touch her to know she's real.
My hand came forward, but at the last second, I ran it through my hair instead of brushing her pink cheek. “Come on inside,” I said, “It's cold out.” I gestured towards the door with a nod of my head.

She remained still, her feet motionless. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

I smiled and said, “Come on, I won't bite. Unless you want me to.” Winking in her direction, I headed for the garage.

Charlie hesitated, then followed me warily. This wasn't the confident, self-assured woman I'd met months ago.
She's keeping her distance. Is she afraid of me now that the cuffs are off?

Or had something else happened?

I opened the door and with one arm guided her in front of me. “Ladies first.”

“Thanks,” she said, pausing at the door. Her eyes darted around wildly in every direction possible, except towards me.

Why is she being so different?
I wondered. “Go on in, it's fine.”

Her body passed mine and I noticed how she turned her shoulder away to avoid brushing against me. “So this is where you work, huh?” Her large, green eyes glistened as they examined the space.

“No. I broke in to steal the car parts. You know, so I can sell them on the black market. This shirt with the name badge is just a diversion for any asshole tow truck guys.” My grin went ear to ear.

A smile began to spread across her face. “Ah, I figured that. You can take the man out of the crime, but you can't take the crime out of the man.”

There. That's a hint of the sharp edges she had before

“See, you did figure me out,” I said. Propping my hands on my hips, I slid my thumbs into my belt loops. The action drew attention downwards, and I caught Charlie's eyes when they flicked to where my cock was tucked away.

Her cheeks blushed when she realized I'd noticed. Immediately she looked away, turned her eyes toward the mess around us.

Squinting, the edge of my lips twisted into a knowing smirk.
Guess she hasn't forgotten about what we did last.
I watched her walk around, grazing her hand over various items. “Be careful, my boss would be pissed if you got cut on something.” I stepped towards her, trying to close the gap between us.

Her face remained fixed on a table covered in wrenches and cans of oil. “So, how are you getting me home?” she asked. Her slender finger followed the curve along one of the tools.

She is so fucking sexy. Those  fingers should be touching something else. I want to bend her over that tool bench and slam myself deep inside.
I bit the side of my lip, the thought of making her scream had made me painfully hard.

“Well?” Her voice broke through my dirty thoughts.

“What? I'm sorry, I got distracted. Can you guess what I was thinking?” I grinned at her.

Charlie crossed her arms tightly. “You didn't answer my question. Which I'm not surprised, you like to avoid answers.”

“Hey, therapy is done. I don't have to answer shit.” Shrugging, I took a step closer to her. “Let me ask
you
something.” My hand swayed out, gently twirling a strand of her hair around my finger. “Have you thought about me, Charlie? 'Cause I've thought about you.” Her perfume radiated me, my nostrils flaring with my hunger.

“What are you doing, Owen?” Her tone was flat and annoyed.

It threw me off, but I simply dug my fingers deeper into her hair.
I know she wants this, too. I can feel it.
In the low lights, her mouth was puckered—tempting.
Those light pink lips give me chills. I'm going to kiss her, feel them against my face.

She couldn't resist me before, and I won't let her start now.

I leaned in, but immediately her hand pressed against my chest. “Owen. We can't.” She turned her head to the side and spoke into the air. Her figure squeezed passed until she was an arm's distance away.

Staring after her, I tried to connect the dots.
Why can't we do this? Sure, this could get me fired if Bill found out. Shit, he'd be pissed just knowing I let her wander around, never mind if I had my way with her.

But I don't care. I've spent to much time away from her. I need this.

I'm going to make her remember the fire we had.

Without hesitation I bridged the gap. My hand came up and gripped her chin, directing her eyes onto me. Even then, she wouldn't connect with mine.

She whispered, “Owen, I can't.” A soft breath released from her taunting lips. “It's just... I don't know.” Her head fell down towards the floor as she nudged a piece of debris with her foot.

The face I'd longed to see, the body I'd ached to feel, it was right there. But she didn't emit the same desire as she had in the past.
How can she be so unsure of what feels so right?

Here we were, reunited after months apart. Our last encounter, Charlie had torn me to pieces, clawed against me in her need to have my cock deep inside of her.

She'd been the definition of wanton... obsessed.

And now she wanted to be coy?

No. I knew something was wrong, but as I stood beside her, taking in her slight breathing... the way her chest rose and fell... and the fact she hadn't run from me... I didn't care.

I didn't fucking care at all.

Charlie was
mine,
and that hadn't changed, no matter how long we'd been apart.

My arms reached around her waist to pull her in. I pressed my lips firmly against the delicateness of hers, tasting her as she crumbled against me. The fight was gone, her walls were down.

In one fluid motion I shoved the junk on the table to the floor. Our lips never parted as I lifted her up, tongues remaining locked while her hands forcefully grabbed the back of my neck. The breaths that escaped us began to fog the small, cold window behind her.

“Owen,” she whispered into my ear as her legs wrapped around my thighs to pull me closer.

“Still think you can't do this?” I asked. My rock solid cock pushed against the front of her jeans. Even through the thick material I could feel how warm she was.

Tossing her head, she knotted her eyebrows as if she were in pain. “Don't throw that in my face. I just...”

“Shh,” I whispered against her throat. “I'm not interested in explanations. The only thing I want to hear is you screaming my name as I make you cum over and over.”

In response, she shivered, holding me tighter.

I want to taste her.

My hands slid under the soft sweater that adorned her body.
Her skin is smooth as velvet.
All I wanted to do was kiss every piece of her as I lifted the clothing away.